We just completed a look into the power of Agape and how it works the works of faith within those who have the revelation of their Redemption within them. And are now ready to look into chapter 14 of 1Corinthians for another eye opener, especially after the circumcision of the hearts, spiritual eyes and ears, of the soul are restored to the Christ life within each individual. In what is called the image and likeness of GOD.
1Corinthians 14:1-5 "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual(G4152) gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." (KJV)
1Corinthians 14:1-5 "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual(G4152) gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up." (ESV)
1Corinthians 14:1-5 "Agape is GOD's only agenda! Be love driven in your pursuit of spiritual gifts; love awakens your most earnest desire to speak with [1]inspired revelation. (The best way to pursue love and spiritual gifts is to realize how pursued you are by Love! The word, [1] pneumatikos, is from (G4151) meaning pneuma, from (G5594) means psuchō, forcible respiration, and (G109) aēr, to inspire, and back again to (G4154) pneō, to breath and then phaino which we saw means to bring forth into the light, cause to shine, shed light; translates as enlightened speech. In the Greek writings, a prophet is an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things. In the context of Scripture, Jesus was such a person for he was both the theme as well as the completeness of the prophetic word. The prophetic foretelling of the OT pointed and spoke of Christ. [Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39]
In the NT the prophetic has its reference in the finished work of the cross more so than in the prediction of that future event. The Prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be ours searched and inquired about this salvation; they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory. [1Peter 1:10-11]
Hebrews 1:1-4, "Throughout [1, G3819] ancient times GOD spoke in many fragments and glimpses of prophetic thought to our fathers. Now, this entire conversation has [2,G2078] finally dawned in sonship. Suddenly what seemed to be an ancient language, falls fresh and new like the dew on tender grass! He is the sum total of every utterance of GOD in conversation within us. He is whom the Prophets pointed to and we are his immediate audience!" ( The word [1,G3819] palai, means, of old, ancient; and is from (G3825) palin through the idea of oscillatory repetition or retrocession; anew, afresh. Look at Deuteronomy 32:1-2, 18, "Give ear, Oh heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as the gentle rain upon the tender grass, and as the showers upon the herb...You were unmindful of the Rock that begot you, and you forgot the GOD who gave you birth." Like in James 1:24, "we have forgotten what manner of people we are - we have forgotten the face of our birth!" (The word, [2,G2078] eschatos means extreme; last in time or in space; the uttermost part, the final conclusion.Sonship revealed and redeemed defines eschatology!)
Hebrews 1:2, "In sonship, GOD declares the Incarnate Word to be the heir of all things. He is, after all, the author of the ages. We have our beginning and our being in him."(Son-ship endorses heir-ship! Look at Hebrews 6:16-18)
Hebrews 1:3, "Jesus is the crescendo of GOD's conversation with his humanity; he gives it context and content to the authentic thought. Everything that GOD has in mind for humanity is voiced in him. Jesus is GOD's language. He is the radiant and flawless expression of the person and [1, G3191]intent of GOD. He mirrors GOD's true [2]character and exhibited his every attribute in human form [our very image and likeness now seen, made visible]. He is the incarnate voice of GOD in revealing and redeeming our son-ship and innocence [in his righteousness]. This voice is the dynamic that sustains the entire cosmos. He is the force of the universe upholding everything that exists as the executive authority of GOD, enthroned in the boundless measure of his majesty. ( "Having accomplished purification of sins, he sat down..." His Throne is proof of humanity's redeemed innocence!
More that two thousand years ago the conversation that had begun before time was recorded ---- sustained in fragments of thought throughout the ages, whispered in prophetic language, chiseled in stone and inscribed in human conscience and memory---became a man. Beyond the tablet of stone, the papyrus scroll or parchment roll, human life has become the articulate voice of GOD. The name of Jesus defines his mission. As Savior of the world he truly redeemed the image and likeness of the invisible GOD and made his apparent agin in huamn form, as in a mirror.
The word, [1, G3191] doxa is from (G1380) dokeo, opinion or intent defines the glory of GOD. The word (G5481), charakter, is from (G5482) charax - to engrave - translated 'mark of the beast' in the book of Revelation. Either the character of the Father or the character of the fallen mind will influence our actions because it is what engages our thoughts (forehead).
Like in Isaiah 55:8-11, "Your thoughts are not my thoughts; therefore your ways are not my ways....but my word will incarnate, and saturate earth ( that is our flesh) just like the rain and the snow cancel the distance between heave and earth, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth! It shall not return void but prosper in my purpose!")
The purpose of the prophetic, just like with every other ministry gift, is to encourage and edify the church with the success of the cross as its reference. in the instance recorded in Acts 11 where Agabus and his team foretold the famine that was to come, the new believers from Antioch immediately saw this as a brilliant strategy of the Holy Spirit to prepare provision for their Jewish friends in Judea. Antioch was the first community of believers to be called "Christians," and they were non-Jewish; this might have caused distance between them and the Jewish church but here was their opportunity to take the initiative to break down any such barriers! "When your enemy is hungry, feed him! [Romans 12:20]
Some modern day prophetic ministries have brought confusion rather than clarity and freedom by a wrong emphasis on the prophetic! Many sincere believers became addicted to the "prophetic" and began to attach more value to yet another future prediction that what they saw in the completed work of Christ! This became a snare and made the "prophetic" a type of Christian fortune telling! While knowledge about future happenings is exciting and also can be strategic, if it does not celebrate the finished work of Christ as its point of reference it becomes a distraction.
The most profound future information pales in significance in the light of what already happened to humanity in Christ! Religion thrives on two lies, distance and delay; Jesus cancelled both. Every possible definition of distance was cancelled on the cross. "Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; every crooked place shall be made straight and every rough place smooth!" [Isaiah 40:4] Every excuse that anyone could have to feel separated from GOD was deleted in Christ.
The hour that was to come has come; Jesus is the fullness of time! GOD can never get any closer to humanity that what he already did in the incarnation. GOD cannot say more to the human race than what he did in Jesus.)
For the one who speaks in a strange tongue speaks intimate spirit mysteries between him and GOD but no one else can understand him. But those who prophesy inspire their audience constructively and comfort them with [1,G3874 from G3870]companionship and [2,G3889]instruction. (The word, [1,G3870] parakalev; to accompany; to affiliate; to associate; is from (G3844 and G2564) para, a preposition indicating close proximity, a thing proceeding from a sphere of influence, with a suggestion of union of place of residence, to have sprung from its author and giver, originating from, denoting the point from which an action originates, intimate connection, and (G2564) kaleo, to identify by name, to surname. Instruction is translated from [2, G3889 is from G3888] paramutheo, which is from (G3844) para and (G3454) muthos, from (G3453) mueo, meaning to teach with narratives.) While speaking in tongues is primarily for personal edification, prophetic instruction inspires the church. I am happy for all of you to speak in tongues, but I desire even more that each one of you will also speak revelation knowledge for the benefit of the whole church. So please do not speak in tongues in the church unless you can also interpret what you have just said." (The Mirror)
Boy, that was a real load of information for our consideration! Until next time the LORD willing, when we shall pick this back up. May the LORDS words sink in!
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